Why do JEWS think that they are GOD'S chosen people?

Question

Are they closer to GOD than the rest of us "poor Gentile trash"?
In what way are Jews superior to Christians?

Answer 1

It is quite easy to be the chosen people of a god you invent. The Jews' arrogance has caused much trouble for them throughout history.

Answer 2

In the Jewish understanding, chosenness leads not to arrogance, but rather to humility. If it were some human king that chose us to be his special people, then we would become elitists. When a mortal power shows favoritism towards a subject, that subject will become more arrogant as a result -- the closer you are to the king, the more significant you are, and the more significant you are the higher respect you feel you deserve.

But we were chosen by G-d. And the closer you are to G-d, the more you sense your insignificance. Because G-d is an infinite being, and all delusions of petty self-importance fall away when you stand before infinity. Being close with G-d demands introspection and self-improvement, not smugness.

This is the idea of the Chosen People -- a nation of individuals who have been given the opportunity to sense G-d's closeness, hear His truth and relay his message to the world. All agree that it was the Jews that introduced the world to monotheism and a system of ethics and morals that has shaped the modern view of life and its purpose. And it is the survival of Judaism to this day that attests to the eternal value of this system.

To say that this is ethnocentric is absurd for one simple reason: anyone from any ethnic background can convert to Judaism and become chosen. Jewish chosenness is not a gene, it is a state of the soul. Anyone wishing to take it upon themselves is welcome -- as long as they are ready to have their bubble burst.

So the arrogant person is not acting chosen. The true test of chosenness is how humble you are. While most other religious groups are quite comfortable claiming that they are the best, we Jews will do anything to say that we are nothing special.

Answer 3

It doesn't now, and never HAS meant that the Jews think they are "superior" to Christians or to anyone else.

This idea of Jews thinking they are superior to others was a slander begun by the Christian church. This idea did not exist until then.

Before that, it meant what it has always meant. That the Jews were chosen to receive the Torah and teach it to the world. That's all. Every other nation on earth was offered the Torah before the Jews, and all declined the offer. So don't complain now, eh?

Answer 4

YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, DO YOU ??????????????????

OK, now that I've got your attention, let me educate your poor, ignorant mind (and maybe those others who care to read this who are just genuinely curious):

Historically, it goes back to Abraham. Abraham lived in a world steeped in idolatry, which he concluded was contradicted by the reality of design in nature.

Abraham invested years of dedication and effort to be God's representative.

So Abraham came to a belief in God, and took upon himself the mission of teaching others of the monotheistic ideal. Abraham was even willing to suffer persecution for his beliefs. After years of enormous effort, dedication and a willingness to accept the responsibility to be God's representative in this world, God chose Abraham and his descendents to be the teachers of this monotheistic message.

In other words it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God.

Choseness was not part of God's "original plan." Initially all of humanity was to serve the role of God's messengers, but after the fall of Adam, humanity lost that privilege, and it was open for grabs. Only Abraham chose to take the mantel. If others would have (and they were offered the choice), they too would have joined in this special covenant which was sealed upon the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

If a privilege is offered to everyone willing to pay the necessary price, nobody can protest that those willing to make the extra effort are being shown favoritism. For example: It is reasonable that an employee who agrees to work overtime, attend training seminars, and manage special projects, should be entitled to a performance bonus -- particularly if each employee was given the same opportunity.

The essence of being chosen means responsibility. It is a responsibility to change the world -- not by converting everyone to Judaism, but by living as a model community upheld by ethics, morals and beliefs of one God. In that way, we can influence the rest of mankind, a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).


NEXT TIME DO A LITTLE RESEARCH BEFORE JUST SOUNDING LIKE AN IGNORANT BIGOT.

Answer 5

Jews are not superior. But God does have a special plan for them. Some christians think the church has replaced Israel. But in Exodus 4:22 God tells Moses to tell Pharoah that 'Israel is my son'... The prophetic books declare that Israel will be regathered from the nations and God will reveal Himself to them then. We are living in exciting times. Israel is about to meet their Messiah. Israel is the root. Christians have been grafted in.We have a symbiotic relationship. We are both part of the same tree.

Answer 6

Read your bible
They are Gods chosen people. They were chosen to receive Gods word. They were chosen to keep the scriptures. They were chosen to bring us our savior.
"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession". Deuteronomy 7:6

"But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.' "(Chronicles 6:6)

"I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. " (Isaiah 65:9)

You bet they are Gods chosen people. Not that they are "closer to God" but that God blesses them. Just because you bless one does not mean that you hate the other.
Isn't God big enough to love both Jews and Gentiles? I'd think so.

Answer 7

As a Jew, I can tell you that the concept of 'chosenness' is often misunderstood.
It does not imply any sort of superiority.
In fact, Judaism teaches us that ALL moral people merit heaven, regardless of their religion, religious affiliations, or lack thereof.
Historically, this all goes back to Abraham. Abraham lived in a world steeped in idolatry, which he concluded was contradicted by the reality of design in nature.

So Abraham came to a belief in God, and took upon himself the mission of teaching others of the monotheistic ideal. Abraham was even willing to suffer persecution for his beliefs. After years of enormous effort, dedication and a willingness to accept the responsibility to be God's representative in this world, God chose Abraham and his descendants to be the teachers of this monotheistic message.

In other words it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God.

Answer 8

It seems to BOTHER you a LOT... WHY?

They were chosen by God to be His "special people." That does not mean SUPERIOR people. The Jewish people are just as human as the rest of us poor schmucks.


Have a blessed day.

Answer 9

Jews were chosen for special "obligations," not for special rewards. Christians *chose* freedom from the 10 Commandments -- Jews *chose* to sign-on to the Covenant of 613 Commandments. You too can be "chosen!" Contact your local rabbi.
.

Answer 10

Because it's in the Bible. We (Christians) are gentiles because we were not Jewish first.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, all the way to Jesus and the Apostles were Jewish.

God freed the Jew from slavery of the Egyptians.

Answer 11

I thought that your God said that (since the Bible IS the literal word of God) Jews were God's chosen people...maybe I was wrong then....